Folding step-ladder.



l W. A. CONTANT.

FOLDING STEP LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED 0cT.11. I916.

Patented Nov. 13, .1917.

Unrrnp sTATns PATENT ornron.

WILLIAM ABRAM CON'l'AN'l, OF BRIGHTON, NEVT ASSIGNOR TO F. B. PEASE CO.,

OF ROCHESTER, NEW YQRK, A GORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

FOLDING STEP-LADDER.

Application filed October 17, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM A. CONTANT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Brighton, Monroe county, State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Folding Step-Ladders, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention comprises improvements in step ladders and, moreparticularly, in short ladders having large tops, which may be used asstools.

The objects of the invention are to'provide a step ladder of this typewhich is simple in construction, strong, durable and cheap tomanufacture, and the parts of which are so connected that the device maybe folded into small compass for storage.

The invention will be described in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a side view of an unfolded step ladder embodying myinvention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same in its folded position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged View of the upper portion of the ladder as seenlooking toward the right in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a section along the line 4;4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, the step ladder or stool comprises, as usual,a top or seat 10, a pair of front legs 11, which are the side rails ofthe steps when the device is used as a ladder, and a pair of rearlegs'12.

Between the legs 11 may be arranged one or more steps 13, of usualconstruction.

The legs are connected to the vertical flanges 14 of a pair of angularbrackets, the horizontal flanges 15 of which are secured to the underside of the top by screws or other suitable fastenings. The bracketsextend from front to rear of the top, preferably across the grain of thewood and stiffen and support it.

The rear legs 12 are connected directly to the vertical downwardlyextending flanges 14 by pivots 16. To the upper end of each front leg orrail 11 is securely fastened ahinge plate 17 which extends entirelyacross the rail and has its upper edge flush with or slightly above theend of the rail. The hinge plates have rearwardly extending lugs 18,which are connected to the vertical flanges 14. respectively, by pivots19. The forward edges of the hinge plates 17 extend around Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 13, 1917.

Serial No. 126,156.

and, at the same time, projections 22 of the hinge plates abut againstthe lower edges of the flanges 141, the ladder being preferably notchedas at 23, to receive these projections. v i

The construction just described protects the front legs or rails '11 andthe top, which parts are usually constructed of wood, and only metalparts abut and take the strains when the ladder is in use. When theladder is folded the parts 20 of the hinge plates contact with the wallor other support against which the ladder may rest and protect theladder from being marred.

The ladder folds very compactly} as shown in Fig. 2, diagonal braces24,which connect the front and rear legs, being so proportioned and pivotedas to permit of compact folding whileforming rigid braces when theladder is unfolded for use.

The brackets 14, 15 and the hinge plates 17 are preferably steelstampings which are at once light and strong. The brackets14, 15 extendfrom front to rear of the top and support it throughout its width,preventing splitting and warping, while the hinge plates extend acrossthe side rails 11' of the steps and strengthen and protect them, inaddition to forming abutments which receive the strain and weight ofobjects resting on the top.

circular opening 2 1' in the top near the rear edge enables the top tobe grasped with convenience when the ladder is to be folded or carriedfrom place to place.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed and desired to besecured by Letters Patent is: l

1. In a folding step ladder, a top, members secured to the under side ofsaid top and extending across the same, two pairs of legs pivoted tosaid members, the ends of one pair of legs being adapted to abut againstsaid members to limit the rotation of the legs about said pivots whenthe ladder is unfolded, and braces pivoted to and connecting thecorresponding legs of each pair of legs.

2. In a folding step ladder, a top, angular brackets having horizontalportions secured to the top and vertical portions projecting downwardlytherefrom, supporting legs arranged in pairs, the rear legs beingdirectly pivoted to said brackets, hinge plates secured to the tops ofthe front legs, pivots connecting the hinge plates tothe verticalportions of the brackets, the ends of the second pair of legs beingadapted to abut against the horizontal portion of said brackets to limitthe rotation of the legs about said pivots when the ladder is unfolded,and braces pivoted to and connecting the corresponding legs of each pairof legs.

3. In a folding step ladder, a top, angular brackets having horizontalportions secured to said top andhaving downwardly extending verticalportions, supporting legs arranged in pairs, one pair of said legs beingdirectly pivoted to said brackets, the other pair of legs having hingeplates secured thereto at their upper ends, said hinge plates havingupwardly extending lugs adapted to abut against the horizontal portionsof the brackets when the ladder is unfolded to limit the rotation of thelegs about the pivots, andbraces pivoted to and con necting thecorresponding legs of each pair of legs. r

4. In a folding step ladder, a top, brackets secured to said top andhaving horizontal portions and downwardly projecting portions,supporting legs arranged in pairs, one pair of said. legs being directlypivoted to said brackets, the other pair of legs having lateralprojections at the upper ends which are pivotedto the downwardlyprojecting-portions of the brackets, the ends of said second pair oflegs being adapted to abut against the horizontal portion of saidbrackets to limit the rotation of the legs about said'pivots when theladder is unfolded, and braces pivoted to and connectng thecorresponding legs of each pair of egs.

o. In a folding step ladder, a top,brackets secured to the top andhaving horizontal portions and downwardly projecting portions,supporting legs arranged in pairs, one pair of said legs being directlypivoted to said brackets, the other pair of legs having hinge platessecured thereto with rearwardly extending portions pivoted to saidbrackets, the upper edges of the hinge plates being flush with the upperends of the legs, the ends of said second pair of legs being adapted toabut against the horizontal portion of said brackets to limit therotation of the legs about said pivots when the ladder is unfolded, andbraces pivoted to and connecting the corresponding legs of each pair oflegs.

6. In a folding step ladder, a top,angular brackets having horizontalportions secured to said top and having downwardly extending verticalportions, supporting legs arranged in pairs, one pair of said legs beingdirectly pivoted to said brackets, the other pair of legs having hingeplates secured thereto at their. upper ends, said hinge plates havingrearwardly extending portionspivoted to said brackets, forward portionsextending around the edge of the leg to protect the same, and upwardlyextending lugs adapted to abut against the horizontal portions of thebrackets when the ladder is unfolded to limit the rotation of the legsabout the, pivots, and braces pivoted to and connecting thecorresponding legs of each pair of legs.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

l/VILLIAM ABRAM CONTANT.

par-1.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Yatents,

Washington, 1).6.

